Burlington County School District considers stopping bus service
The new school year is just around the corner and is sparking controversy in a school district in Burlington County: Parents are fighting against a plan to eliminate some of the district’s bus service.
DELANCO, NJ – The new school year is just around the corner and is sparking controversy in a school district in Burlington County: Parents are fighting against a plan to eliminate some of the district’s bus service.
“There is no sidewalk. So what’s your plan?” Alicia Bain said during a heated public hearing at the Delanco School Board meeting Wednesday night.
“I have a seven-year-old granddaughter and I can’t imagine her walking this route every day and coming home. Especially in bad weather,” said Lois Gardner.
Parents want to know how their children will get to school safely if the school district moves forward with a proposal to eliminate bus service. This would affect families living within two miles of Pearson Elementary, which will also house middle school students starting this year.
“I’m angry. I’m upset. It’s not safe,” Bain said. She said she learned about it on Facebook Wednesday morning.
“We all have to adjust our schedules a week in advance. This is unacceptable,” she said. Bain has a six-year-old daughter who attends Pearson Elementary School.
“On the street near my house, it’s 40 miles per hour. On the side street where my daughter would have to walk, it’s 35 miles per hour. You can hear it now. These cars are flying,” Bain said.
Her neighbor, Yamilec Branch, has three children in the district. Her 11-year-old and five-year-old children would have to walk because of the district changes.
She says it’s just over a mile from her house to Pearson Elementary, a 25-minute walk.
“It’s not safe. There are areas where there are no sidewalks and we don’t have school crossing guards,” Branch said.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Leonard Fitts said he learned three weeks ago that the district’s contractor would not renew its services to the district.
“We are working on the problem of finding suppliers. We are trying to find drivers for our vehicles. There are just not enough people for these jobs that are so important to the school district,” said Dr. Fitts.
He also says they are reaching out to the community and churches to find qualified bus drivers who want to work. Dr. Fitts says the position is advertised, but they just can’t find a driver.
